If we're so independent and advanced, why is Valentines Day so miserable if we're single? Sure, we may celebrate with girlfriends and try to ignore our singleness, but the fact is, at the end of the day, we wish we had a little more romance in our lives... a special someone we were snuggling up with.
On Valentine's Eve, my roommate and I went to a late-night dinner at the diner and checked out a bunch of the guys, rating how cute we thought each of the guys were and at times imagining ourselves with them, creating personalities and relationships in our minds.
Then there were those stupid and annoying girls, part of a couple, canoodling at a booth with their significant others, receiving flowers and chocolate and teddy bears. Truth is I wished I was one of those girls. I suddenly had a pang in my gut that said "MUST HAVE BOYFRIEND." I tried to ignore it but inevitably felt depressed about being alone on Valentines Day. I hated those girls who happened to have a man on their arm.
Besides, everyone knows chocolate was created for the lonely... ironically.
So why are we suddenly not content to be alone on this one stupid (fake) holiday? Every other day we take pride in being single, but suddenly we become depressed and suddenly and shamefully aware of our singleness. It's as though in that one day we see a future of Valentines Day after Valentines Day of loneliness, sitting in our pajamas, watching reruns, eating chocolate and Chinese take-out, scowling at any misfortunate person who may be stupid enough to wish us a happy Valentines Day (except, of course, for grandma).
And why, when we realize our singleness and wish we weren't so single anymore, do we become so timid about it? I spent the day casually walking by the front desk in my building where the guy of my dreams works. He is cute and sweet and smart and I walked by to "get my mail" and "step outside for a breath of fresh air" etc., just to steal a glance at him. So why didn't I just talk to him? Why did I expect him to come to me, sweep me off my feet, ask me out to a Valentine's Day dinner? Gosh, why does Valentines Day turn us into desperate women!
Well, I for one, am glad Valentines Day is another year away, and that next year, I'll be old enough to spend it in a drunken stupor.
Nevertheless, what does this say about us as women today? Perhaps we haven't advanced as far as we think we have. Why do we need a man? Why do we put such much stock in a holiday that gives men the power to control our mood and moves us backward?
Just a thought.
-K
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